Echoes in the Wind by Debra Jupe

sitting nearby. Eric’s picture instantly appeared on the screen.
    Fan-friggin-tastic. Busted. Any logical explanation of why she’d been viewing Eric Boyd’s photograph online other than the real reason failed her. In the end, she wouldn’t be able to fool Stephanie anyway. She may as well come clean.
    Darla’s shoulders casually lifted then lowered. “I was curious.”
    “As you should be.” Stephanie glanced at the photo before shifting back to Darla. “The two of you have a very opposites-attract kind of thing. That’s huge. I bet some major sparks flew when you met.”
    “Yes on the opposite, no to attraction. There weren’t any fireworks between us. Okay, well maybe a few. He seemed to like me a little. And I admit I thought about following in your footsteps and just going for it, but the murder destroyed the mood.”
    “Yes,” Stephanie shouted. “To be continued later?”
    “Doubtful. The idea has passed,” she lied.
    “If you say so.” Stephanie stretched her legs and propped them onto the table, crossing her ankles. She lifted the computer to her lap. “Since the Raging Impulse website is open, I think I’ll do some research on Blaine.”
    “Be my guest.” Darla picked up the bowls and carried them into the kitchen. She flipped on the faucet and ran the dishes full of hot water, then returned to the living area to reclaim her spot on the sofa. A comfortable silence settled between the women. Darla’s head drifted back as her eyes closed. Slowly, she gave into her weariness and drifted into a restful doze.
    “Hey, did you read this article on their manager?”
    Darla’s head jerked up. “What?” She blinked several times, de-fuzzing her mind.
    “Raging Impulse’s manager.”
    “Shane?”
    “Who?”
    “Shane Macinsomething. I met him tonight too.”
    “I’m talking about their former manager. The bad guy.” Stephanie gazed at Darla. “It says he was arrested and has been in jail for a while, and he recently escaped.”
    “No, I didn’t read anything like that, but I wasn’t searching for information about him.” She shifted closer to Stephanie and looked over her shoulder. “What does the story say?”
    “The beginning talks about how he broke out of prison, but that’s not the interesting part.” Stephanie leaned into the screen to read aloud.
    “Pop artist’s managers are often viewed as more infamous than the singers they represent. Dugan Holt joined the group of managerial disgrace many years ago. Holt, best known for the guidance of chart-busting protégés, Raging Impulse, raised them to staggering heights, but his career remains marred by a series of scandals, ending with a prison sentence for a number of illegal transgressions.
    “He helped the band rise to fame from their obscure start, often playing at a now defunct club called Nutscrub. The members consisted of five Aberdeen University students: keyboardist Drake Maloney, second cousin Mitchell Young, who played drums, lead guitarist Eric Boyd, bass guitarist Blaine Stewart, and their singer, Max Sharp.
    “Through musical contacts, Holt secured more gigs for the ensemble. As their reputation grew, he assumed the role of manager. Not happy with the singer, his first act as their leader was to replace Sharp with Finn O’Conner, an up-and-coming crooner from Ireland.
    “Throughout their years together, they became a huge success. But the constant touring with little social life, plus the youngsters evolving into men caused many stress fractures to appear. Members got tired of the endless road trips and resented the purging of their private lives.
    “Raging Impulse did not find their final years kind. Fans grew up, musical directions changed, but Holt refused to allow the band to evolve. Disagreements and hostilities surfaced even more. The turmoil between members remained constant throughout their time together, fueled by Holt as his way to maintain his hold over the men to focus away from possible shady